Michael Symon
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| Michael Symon | |
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| Born | ca. 1969 |
| Education | Culinary Institute of America |
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Michael Symon (b. 1969)[1][2][3] is an Iron Chef and the owner and executive chef of the restaurants Lola and Lolita, both in Cleveland, Ohio. He was one of the rotating hosts of Food Network's show Melting Pot, and appeared on Sara's Secrets with Sara Moulton, Ready, Set, Cook and FoodNation with Bobby Flay. He was named the next Iron Chef on the 2007 Food Network reality show The Next Iron Chef. Symon was recently named as the new host for the Food Network's Dinner: Impossible. Michael Ruhlman's book, The Soul of a Chef: The Journey Toward Perfection focuses on him in the second part of three (the first focuses on the Certified Master Chef exam at the Culinary Institute of America, and the third on Thomas Keller of the French Laundry). In addition, he has contributed to Bon Appétit, Esquire, Food Arts, Gourmet, Saveur and O, The Oprah Magazine.
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[edit] Biography
Symon is of partly Greek ancestry, on his mother's side of the family.[1][2] He was raised in North Olmsted, Ohio, and attended St. Richard School in North Olmsted, and St. Edward High School in Lakewood. A wrestler, he broke an arm during practice and was unable to continue competing. He took a part time job at Gepetto's Ribs on Warren Rd. as a cook.[4]
After graduating the Culinary Institute of America in 1990, Symon worked the Cleveland restaurant scene, working at Player's, a Mediterranean restaurant in Lakewood, Ohio. In 1993, he moved to Piccolo Mondo and he was brought aboard as chef, developing a small yet devoted following. He subsequently moved to Caxton Cafe.
In February 1997, Michael and his then-fiancée (now wife), Liz Shanahan, opened Lola in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood. The restaurant garnered rave reviews and Symon was named one of the Ten Best New Chefs in America by Food & Wine in 1998.[5] In 2005, he converted Lola into Lolita,[6] and reopened Lola in downtown Cleveland the next year.
Symon describes his cooking as "meat-centric."[3] He is planning to open a restaurant called Roast in Detroit, Michigan, in the fall of 2008.[4]
[edit] Television appearances
In addition to hosting Food Network's Melting Pot, Symon appeared on Iron Chef America.[7]. He has been reporting on his experiences competing in The Next Iron Chef for Fortune, posted on CNN Money.[5]
On November 11, 2007, after a head-to-head match against John Besh, he was named "The Next Iron Chef".
On November 18, 2007, Symon won his first battle on Iron Chef America.[8]
On August 27, 2007, Symon was on the Cleveland, Ohio episode of "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations"
On April 21, 2008, the Food Network announced that Symon will host "Dinner: Impossible", the network's third most popular show. An episode will air in July and the season will begin in September.[9]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.bigbandjohn.com/Symon.html
- ^ In praise of Cleveland's kitchen god Michael Symon - cleveland.com
- ^ CHOICE TABLES; In Cleveland, Industrial Chic And Inventive Chefs - New York Times
- ^ Food Network: Michael Symon, Biography
- ^ Best New Chefs - 1998 - Michael Symon
- ^ Cicora, Elaine T. The Lola Effect, Scene. 2005-12-28.
- ^ Episode IA0401, Morimoto vs. Symon, 'Battle Asparagus'
- ^ Episode IASP07, 'Thanksgiving Battle'
- ^ Symon to host Food Network show, create Detroit restaurant- cleveland.com
